In a child's bedroom in a suburban Philadelphia home, Edward Benson is listening for footsteps on the stairs.

The footfall Edward is waiting for will not be human. It could be someone's pet cat, or a stuffed teddy bear, or a smiling marionette doll.

But whatever it is that comes creeping up the stairs will have two qualities: it will be animated by a terrifying, diabolical force, and it will have only one intention -- murder.

If Edward Benson wants his daughter back, he will have to fight a battle no human has ever fought before. And he must win, for only the victor will return with his life -- and his soul.